In conjunction with the largest Business Angels network in Europe, their strength is in raising investment capital between £100,000 and £2 million. It is this range that is generally regarded as the most difficult to get funding from business investors. There are no preferences on sector, most investor contacts have a very wide range of interests. Often these companies also need the skills and contacts that experienced 'Business Angels' can bring.
Fees are mainly success based - with a percentage in cash and option shares, based on the amount of funding that is introduced. There is a modest project management fee to reflect the expenses and work required to prepare, authorise and market the proposition.
Firstly a FREE review of your business plan will be provided and this feedback will be discussed with you before a meeting with the management team. Where it is believed that the right business investors can be found among the 1500 or so contacts on the Investor Register, you will be advised on the business plan and the deal structure.
Then, when there is an investment proposal that is sensible for the client and sufficiently attractive to investors, the business will be marketed. Clients are marketed through direct personal contact with investors based on a close knowledge of their needs.
The entire private investor and contact base of over 6000 is regularly mailed a 'Stop Press'. Investor Fairs are held on a regular basis where clients can meet directly with private investors.
Project management is provided to completion. This includes the investor negotiations, and advice on the legal formalities - indeed everything that needs to be done to ensure a satisfactory conclusion - that is where extensive experience in venture capital fund raising comes into its own.
Time is taken through personal contact to understand your own investment needs, so that, as soon as a particularly relevant business opportunity arises you will be contacted immediately. This service is free to business angel investors, but you must be able to demonstrate that you are sufficiently experienced to understand the risks associated with the SME market place.
Due Diligence is not undertaken. Investors must do this, and seek external advice where that is needed.
INVESTORS - If you would like to hear about investment opportunities, please contact John Courtney
Information on the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000
If you are looking for Debt Funding (e.g. bank loan) instead of Equity Funding (e.g. Business Angels) you may be interested in the Small Firms Loan Guarantee Scheme Service
Listen to John Courtney's podcast on business funding options which covers all aspects of raising funding for a new start or a growing business. You will find out how to go about raising business angels funding and debt funding through the small firms loan guarantee scheme plus other tools that can release working capital and improve your cash flow such as factoring, trade finance and asset finance.
JOHN COURTNEY A.I.M.C., M.A.B.S., MInstD, is Chairman of Strategy Consulting Limited and has assisted many clients in getting funding.
(This podcast was recorded recently for expertsonline.tv)